Foldable reel support and carrier

ABSTRACT

A first outer large dimension frame, a second intermediate medium dimension frame and a third inner small dimension frame are provided and each frame includes a pair of spaced side-byside legs interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends by means of a bight portion extending therebetween. The frames are positionable with the legs of the third frame received between the legs of the second frame and the legs of the second frame received between the legs of the first frame. A pair of aligned journal sleeves pivotally interconnect each set of corresponding leg ends remote from the bight portions for relative oscillation of the frames between collapsed positions with the frames disposed in inverted downwardly opening position and the other two frames opening upwardly and being upwardly convergent toward an upstanding plane containing the inverted frame. An axle member is removably rotatably journaled through the journal sleeves and is of a size to be longitudinally telescoped through the center opening of a wire reel to be supported from the reel support.

United States Patent [191 Parsen i 1 FOLDABLE REEL SUPPORT AND CARRIER [76] Inventor: Edward M. Parsen, Box 23, Miller,

S. Dak. 57362 [22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 531,215

3,106,358 10/1963 Lehmann 242/85 X 3,536,275 10/1970 Solomon 242/85 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Australia A. 242/86 Primary Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson Nov. 18, 1975 i 1 ABSTRACT A first outer large dimension frame, a second intermediate medium dimension frame and a third inner small dimension frame are provided and each frame includes a pair of spaced side-by-side legs interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends by means of a bight portion extending therebetween. The frames are positionable with the legs of the third frame received between the legs of the second frame and the legs of the second frame received between the legs of the first frame. A pair of aligned journal sleeves pivotally interconnect each set of corresponding leg ends remote from the bight portions for relative oscillation of the frames between collapsed positions with the frames disposed in inverted downwardly opening posi tion and the other two frames opening upwardly and being upwardly convergent toward an upstanding plane containing the inverted frame. An axle member is removably rotatably journaled through the journal sleeves and is of a size to be longitudinally telescoped through the center opening of a wire reel to be supported from the reel support.

15 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 2 on 3,920,194

Fig.3

46 42 mqm U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,920,194

Fig.7

FOLDABLE REEL SUPPORT AND CARRIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types portable reel supports have been heretofore provided. However. some previously designed reel supports are operative to support an associated wire reel or roll only in an axially upstanding position and other wire reel supports support a wire reel in an SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The reel support and carrier of the instant invention is constructed in a manner whereby it may be readily folded into a compact position for storage and unfolded to an operative position and have a reel of wire supported therefrom within seconds and without the use of tools.

The reel support includes three large, medium and small size U-shaped frames with free ends of corresponding legs of the frames pivotally secured together by means of a sleeve journal extending therethrough and the sleeve journalsare aligned for rotatably receiving a reel support shaft therethrough. The U-shaped frames of the support may be quickly relatively angu- Iarly displaced to positions with one of the U-shaped frames opening downwardly and disposed in a generally vertical plane above the other two frames and with the latter disposed in upwardly opening and convergent positions toward the lower end of the inverted frame and disposed on opposite sides of an upstanding frame containing the vertical frame.

Also, a horizontal table-like support frame is provided for support from a pair of side-by-side reel supports and may be utilized for supporting large coils of wire in axially upstanding position. Still further, a pair of flanged spacing sleeves are provided for use in conjunction with the reel support so as to adapt the latter for supporting wire reel of varying axial extent and a large diameter axle member with axially adjustable circumferentially extending abutment means is provided for use in conjunction with wire reels having large diameter center openings formed therethrough.

The main object of this invention is to provide a readily collapsible and extendable reel support and carrier for wire reels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reel support including structure by which it may be adjusted to accept wire reels of varying axial extent.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a reel support which may be used in pairs in conjunction with a horizontal support table or frame extending therebetween for the purpose of supporting coils of wire in axially upstanding position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible reel support including a selectively usable large diameter reel support shaft for use in conjunction with 2 wire reels having large diameter center openings therein.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a foldable reel support in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture. be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully herein after described and claimed. reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the reel support and carrier in an operative position and with an associated reel of wire being illustrated in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 3 with various components thereof illustrated in partially exploded position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the reel support in a fully collapsed or folded position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the adjacent ends of a pair of end aligned reel supports utilized to rotatably support a pair of wire reels. the pair of wire reels being fragmentarily illustrated in phantom lines and used in conjunction with spacing sleeves;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of a pair of side-byside reel supports utilized to support a horizontal support frame therebetween for rotatably supporting a vertically upstanding coil of wire therefrom;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the horizontal frame in inverted position and in operative position to support a vertically upstanding coil of wire from the ground; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a selectively usable large diameter axle member equipped with axially adjustable abutment flanges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION nected at one pair of corresponding ends by means of an integral bight portion 22, the second frame 14 includes a pair of generally parallel legs 24 and 26 interconnected by means of an integral bight portion 28 extending therebetween and the frame 16 includes a pair of generally parallel legs 30 and 32 interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends by means of an integral bight portion 34. The legs 18 and 20 of the frame 12 are of substantially the same length as the legs 24 and 26 of the frame 14. However, the effective length of the bight portion 22 is greater than the bight portion length of the bight portion 28 in a manner such that the end portions of the legs 24 and 26 remote from the bight portion 28 are receivable between the legs 18 and 20 of the frame [2. Further, while the legs 30 and 32 of the frame I6 are somewhat shorter thaan the legs of the frames 12 and I4. the bight portion 34 of the frame 16 is sufficiently short in effective length so as to enable the legs 30 and 32 to be received between the legs 24 and 26 of the frame 14.

As may be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. the ends of the legs 30 and 32 remote from the bight portion 34 include oppositely outwardly projecting and aligned journal sleeve members 36 and 38 secured thereto. The ends of the legs 24 and 26 remote from the bight portion 28 include larger diameter aligned transverse sleeves 40 and 42 journaled on the sleeve members 36 and 38 immediately outwardly of the legs 30 and 32 and the end of the legs 18 and 20 remote from the bight portion 22 include sleeves 44 and 46 journaled on the sleeve members 36 and 38 immediately outwardly of the sleeves 40 and 42.

The sleeve 44 includes an inwardly projecting abutment arm 48 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully set forth and the sleeve 42 includes a mounting flange 50. The mounting flange 50 includes an end portion thereof which extends outwardly beyond the end of the sleeve 42 remote from the sleeve 40 and the mounting flange 50 has a latch flange 52 pivotally secured thereto as at 54 on its end portion adjacent the inner end of the sleeve 42. Also. the outwardly projecting end of the mounting flange 50 has a latching lever 56 pivotally secured thereto as at 58 and biased toward the latched position thereof illustrated in FIG. I by means of an expansion spring 57.

As may be seen from FIG. of the drawings, the frames 12, 14 and 16 may be swung to relatively collapsed positions with the frames 12, I4 and 16 disposed in generally parallel nested relation, the bight portion 28 being disposed alongside the bight portion 22. Fur ther. a tubular axle member 60 having circumferential radially outwardly projecting locking flange 62 on one end thereof is telescoped through the journal sleevemembers 36 and 38 and the latching lever 56 is slotted as at 64 whereby the latching lever 56 may be interlockingly engaged with the flange 62 in order to prevent axial withdrawal of the axle member 60 from the journal sleeve members 36 and 38.

When the frames l2, l4 and 16 are swung to the extended positions thereof illustrated in FIG. I and 2, the abutment arm or member 48 limits counter-clockwise swinging movement of the frame 16 as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings relative to the frame 12. In addition, the mounting flange 50 carried by the sleeve 42 of the frame 14 is engageable with an abutment 66 in the form ofa bead weld formed on the leg of the frame 14 to limit counter-clockwise swinging of the frame 14 relative to the frame 12 as viewed in FIG. 2. Also. a pair of elongated flexible tension member chains 68 extend between corresponding legs of the frames 12 and I4 to also limit relative swinging movement of the frames 12 and I4 toward their operative positions. Still further, after the frames I2, I4 and I6 have been pivoted to the positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. the latch member 52 may be swung from an out-of-theway position to the extend postion thereof illustrated in FIG. 3 behind the side of the leg 32 of the frame 16 opposite to the side of the leg behind which the abutment arm or member 48 is disposed. Thus. all of the frames 12,14 and 16 may be locked in their relative ex' 4 tended positions and the assembly I0 en oys a stable support from a horizontal support -url1|ce 72.

When it is desired to support a reel of wire from tln assembly I0, the reel 74 is positioned in the manner illustratcd in phantom lines in FIGS. I and 2 of the drawings with the axle tube or member 60 axially withdrawn from the sleeve members 36 and 38. Then. the axle member 60 has its end thereof remote from the flange 62 first telescoped through the sleeve journal member 38. the wire reel 74 and then the journal sleeve member 36 before the latching lever 56 is swung to the operative position thereof illustrated in FIG. I of the draw ings to lock the axle member 60 against axial withdrawal from the journal sleeve members 36 and 38.

Of course, the inverted U-shaped frame I6 serves as a handle for the assembly 10 and it will be noted that the round end upper portions of the inverted frame 16 may serve as hand grips to be engaged by two people carrying the assembly 10 therebetween, in the event the weight of the wire reel 74 is sufficient to require two persons to carry the assembly 10.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 6 of the drawings. it may be seen that a pair of assemblies 10 may be removably coupled together through the utilization of an increased length axle member 60' extending through both sets of journal sleeve members 38 and 36 of the frame assemblies 10. Also. spacing sleeves 78 may be utilized and are equipped with radi ally outwardly extending abutment flanges 80 unequally spaced between the opposite ends of the sleeve 78. Accordingly, when an axially short wire reel is to be supported from one of the frames 10, the corresponding sleeves 78 may be positioned in the manner illustrated in the left hand portion of FIG. 6 and when a lightly longer wire reel is to be supported from the other assembly 10 corresponding sleeves 78 may be endwise reversed in the manner illustrated in the right side of FIG. 6.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 8 of the drawings, there may be seen a horizontal frame referred to in general by the reference numeral 82 and which includes a pair of opposite end sections referred to in general by the reference numerals 84 and 86. The section 84 includes a transverse tube member 88 including a pair of upwardly extending parallel arm members 90 spaced along the tube member 88 and terminating upwardly in horizontally directed arm members 92. The section 86 includes a tube member 94 corresponding to the tube member 88 and arm members 96 and 98 corresponding to the arm members 90 and 92. However, the arm members 98 are of a size to telescop ingly receive the free ends of the arm members 92 therein and the frame 12 further includes a wire coil supporting center section referred to in general by the reference numeral I00 consisting of a pair of parallel tube members 102 rigidly interconnected by means of opposite end transverse members 104. The tube members 102 are slidingly telescoped over the arm members 98 and the transverse members 104 are interconnected by means of a center brace member I06 from which an invertable axle pin 108 is supported. see FIG. 7. A turntable assembly 110 is rotatably mounted on the axle pin 108 and may support an axially vertical coil 1 12 of wire from the axle pin 108.

As may best be seen from FIG. 7 of the drawings, the frame 82 may be inverted and the axle members 60 of a pair of assemblies 10 may have tube members 88 of the inverted frame 82 supported therefrom Also with attention directed more specifically to FIG. 9 of the drawings, a wire reel having a large diameter center opening may be equipped with an axle spacing sleeve assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 114 and including a center sleeve 116 for rotatably receiving a corresponding axle member 60 therethrough. The sleeve 116 has a large diameter and slightly axially shorter sleeve 118 mounted thereon intermediate its opposite ends and the sleeve 118 is equipped axially adjustable abutment sleeves 120 which may be secured in adjusted positions along the sleeve 118 by means of spring biased latches 122 supported from the sleeves 120 and selectively engageable in longitudinally spaced apertures 124 formed in the sleeve 118. Thus, if an axially short wire reel having a large diameter center opening is to be supported from one of the assemblies 10, the assembly in FIG. 9 is utilized to adapt the reel provided with a large diameter center opening for support from the relatively small diameter axle member 60. Also, the abutment sleeves 120 may be adjusted longitudinally of the sleeve 118 so as to snugly embrace the opposite axial ends of the wire reel therebetween.

With attention now invited to FIG. 5, it may be seen that the journal sleeve member 36 includes a radial tab 136 which may abut arm 48 and that the sleeve member 38 includes a radial tab 138 behind which the latch flange 52 is swingable. The tabs 136 and 138 coact with the arm 48 and latch flange 52 to maintain the frames l2, l4 and 16 in the collapsed positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 5, the latch flange being under the biasing action of a spring 140 and swingable through an over center position into and out of the latched position thereof illustrated in FIG. 1. The latch flange 52 also being capable of performing a second function of latching the frames 12, 14 and 16 in the extended positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 1.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the drawings, it may be seen that the legs 18 and of the frame 12 include aligned support sleeves 18' and 20 whose adjacent ends open toward each other and whose remote ends are closed by means of diametric strips 19 secured thereacross. When the frames 12, 14 and 16 are in their extended positions, a lateral opening or notch 21 formed in the sleeve 20' opens upwardly and a support pipe 23 may be provided, extend between and have its opposite ends journaled in the sleeves 18' and 20 for ready removal therefrom and be utilized for rotatably supporting small diameter wire spools 23' therefrom.

In addition, the legs 24 and 26 of the frame 14 include sleeves 24' and 26' corresponding to the sleeves 18 and 20' and which are also adapted to removably support a pipe 23 from which small diameter wire spools 23' may be rotatably supported. Finally, legs 30 and 32 of the frame 16 include additional sleeves 30' and 32 also corresponding to the sleeves 18' and 20' and from which a small diameter pipe 23 may be re movably supported for rotatably journaling together diameter spools 23 of wire.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further. since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A reel support including a first outer large dimension frame, a second intermediate medium dimension frame and a third inner small dimension frame, said frames each including a pair of spaced sidc-by-side legs interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends and being positionable with said legs of said third frame received between the legs of said second frame and the legs of said second frame received between the legs of said first frame, a pair of aligned sleeve journal means pivotally interconnecting each set of corresponding other ends of said legs together for relative oscillation of said frames from collapsed positions with said frames generally paralleling each other and open positions with said one of said frames disposed in inverted downwardly opening position and the other two frames opening upwardly and being upwardly convergent toward an upstanding plane containing said one frame. and axle means removably rotatably journaled through said sleeve journal means adapted to removably support a reel therefrom.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said axle means and a predetermined frame include deactivatable coacting means releasably securing said axle means in position journaled through said sleeve journal means, said axle means, when said coacting means is deactivated. being axially retractable from said sleeve journal means.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second frames include coacting abutment means operative to limit relative angular displacement of said first and second frames from said collapsed positions to the extended positions thereof.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said third frame and said first frame include coacting stop means operative to limit relative angular displacement of said third and first frames from said collapsed positions to the extended positions thereof.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said first and third frames include coacting releasable latch means operative to retain said first and third frames in said extended positions.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said first and second frames include coacting abutment means operative to limit relative angular displacement of said first and second frames from said collapsed positions to the extended positions thereof.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said stop means and said latch means include coacting means operative to prevent relative angular displacement of said first and second frames from their extended positions to their collapsed positions.

8. The combination of claim 1 including a pair of spacing sleeves reversably and removably telescopingly engaged over said axle means between and end abuttingly engageable with the adjacent ends of said sleeve journal means, said spacing sleeves each including a ra dially outwardly projecting and circumferentially extending abutment flange spaced unequally intermediate its opposite ends.

9. The combination of claim 1 including a pair of elongated flexible tension members connected between the pairs of corresponding legs of said first and second frames at points therealong spaced at least slightly from the other pair of corresponding ends thereof limiting relative oscillation of said first and second frames toward their extended positions.

10. The combination of claim I including a second reel support corresponding to and spaced from the first mentioned support. an elongated support frame including transverse tube members at its opposite ends, the axle means of said supports being removably telescoped through said tube members. said frame. intermediate its opposite ends including coil support means journaled therefrom for rotation about an upstanding axis and adapted to support a horizontal coil of material therefrom with said coil positioned generally concentric with the axis of rotation of said coil support means.

11. The combination of claim wherein said support frame includes a pair of opposite end sections having adjacent end portions telescopingly engaged with each other. said coil support means including portions thereof telescopingly engaged over one of said adjacent end portions, said portions of said coil support means also being telescopingly engageable over said one adjacent end portion when in inverted positions.

12. The combination of claim 1 including a support sleeve telescopingly engageable over said axle means intermediate said sleeve journal means, said support sleeve including. abutment sleeves slidable thereon. means coacting with said abutment sleeves and said support sleeve operative to retain said abutment sleeves in selected adjusted positions along said support 8 sleeve. said abutment sleeves each including a generally radially outwardly extending and circumferential flange extending thereabout.

13. The combination of claim I wherein said third frame and said first frame include coacting stop means operative to limit relative angular displacement of said third and first frames from said collapsed positions to the extended positions thereof. and coacting deactuatable latch means carried by said frames operative to retain said frames in said collapsed positions.

14. The combination of claim I wherein said axle means may be axially withdrawn from said sleeve journal means and reinserted through the latter from the opposite ends thereof.

15. The combination of claim 1 wherein the legs of at least one of said frames include aligned mounting sleeves supported therefrom intermediate the opposite ends of said legs. the remote ends of said sleeves being at least partially closed. one of said sleeves including a lateral upwardly opening formed therein and opening through the end of said one sleeve adjacent the other sleeve, and a support shaft having its opposite ends journaled in said sleeves, the end of the support shaft supported from said one sleeve being laterally outwardly displaceable therefrom through said opening. 

1. A reel support including a first outer large dimension frame, a second intermediate medium dimension frame and a third inner small dimension frame, said frames each including a pair of spaced side-by-side legs interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends and being positionable with said legs of said third frame received between the legs of said second frame and the legs of said second frame received between the legs of said first frame, a pair of aligned sleeve journal means pivotally interconnecting each set of corresponding other ends of said legs togethere for relative oscillation of said frames from collapsed positions with said frames generally paralleling each other and open positions with said one of said frames disposed in inverted downwardly opening position and the other two frames opening upwardly and being upwardly convergent toward an upstanding plane containing said one frame, and axle means removably rotatably journaled through said sleeve journal means adapted to removably support a reel therefrom.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said axle means and a predetermined frame include deactivatable coacting means releasably securing said axle means in position journaled through said sleeve Journal means, said axle means, when said coacting means is deactivated, being axially retractable from said sleeve journal means.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second frames include coacting abutment means operative to limit relative angular displacement of said first and second frames from said collapsed positions to the extended positions thereof.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said third frame and said first frame include coacting stop means operative to limit relative angular displacement of said third and first frames from said collapsed positions to the extended positions thereof.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said first and third frames include coacting releasable latch means operative to retain said first and third frames in said extended positions.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said first and second frames include coacting abutment means operative to limit relative angular displacement of said first and second frames from said collapsed positions to the extended positions thereof.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said stop means and said latch means include coacting means operative to prevent relative angular displacement of said first and second frames from their extended positions to their collapsed positions.
 8. The combination of claim 1 including a pair of spacing sleeves reversably and removably telescopingly engaged over said axle means between and end abuttingly engageable with the adjacent ends of said sleeve journal means, said spacing sleeves each including a radially outwardly projecting and circumferentially extending abutment flange spaced unequally intermediate its opposite ends.
 9. The combination of claim 1 including a pair of elongated flexible tension members connected between the pairs of corresponding legs of said first and second frames at points therealong spaced at least slightly from the other pair of corresponding ends thereof limiting relative oscillation of said first and second frames toward their extended positions.
 10. The combination of claim 1 including a second reel support corresponding to and spaced from the first mentioned support, an elongated support frame including transverse tube members at its opposite ends, the axle means of said supports being removably telescoped through said tube members, said frame, intermediate its opposite ends including coil support means journaled therefrom for rotation about an upstanding axis and adapted to support a horizontal coil of material therefrom with said coil positioned generally concentric with the axis of rotation of said coil support means.
 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said support frame includes a pair of opposite end sections having adjacent end portions telescopingly engaged with each other, said coil support means including portions thereof telescopingly engaged over one of said adjacent end portions, said portions of said coil support means also being telescopingly engageable over said one adjacent end portion when in inverted positions.
 12. The combination of claim 1 including a support sleeve telescopingly engageable over said axle means intermediate said sleeve journal means, said support sleeve including, abutment sleeves slidable thereon, means coacting with said abutment sleeves and said support sleeve operative to retain said abutment sleeves in selected adjusted positions along said support sleeve, said abutment sleeves each including a generally radially outwardly extending and circumferential flange extending thereabout.
 13. The combination of claim 1 wherein said third frame and said first frame include coacting stop means operative to limit relative angular displacement of said third and first frames from said collapsed positions to the extended positions thereof, and coacting deactuatable latch means carried by said frames operative to retain said frames in said collapsed positions.
 14. The combination of claim 1 wherein said axle means may be axially withdrawn from saiD sleeve journal means and reinserted through the latter from the opposite ends thereof.
 15. The combination of claim 1 wherein the legs of at least one of said frames include aligned mounting sleeves supported therefrom intermediate the opposite ends of said legs, the remote ends of said sleeves being at least partially closed, one of said sleeves including a lateral upwardly opening formed therein and opening through the end of said one sleeve adjacent the other sleeve, and a support shaft having its opposite ends journaled in said sleeves, the end of the support shaft supported from said one sleeve being laterally outwardly displaceable therefrom through said opening. 